Library to move to the heart of city

Bradford Council has agreed a deal with property firm Rushbond to re-open the library.

It will be based inside the last available unit at Rushbond’s development on Centenary Square.

The library is due to open in December 2013, and will house 60,000 books, and around 40 computers. It will also be used as the venue for a wide range of events.

Richard Baker, a spokesman for Rushbond, said: “City Library will be a fantastic addition to Centenary Square and the fact it will be in such a prominent position, in the heart of the city centre and close to rail and bus links, will enable more people to take advantage of this superb resource.

“Our existing occupiers include Nandos, Starbucks, Dragon Thai Restaurant, Forsters Bistro, J D Wetherspoon and Bradford College, which combine to attract good levels of footfall in the area, and this will be boosted further by City Library.”

The decision to move the library was taken after it was discovered that it would take until the end of next year to remove asbestos from the Central Library’s old build-ing.